Loose Pyrodex or Pellets?

[rmtaylor]

If I remember correctly from the old sight it appeared that most people using loose Pyrodex acheived better results than Pellets. Is this correct? Opinions always appreciated:)

Richard

[tscott]

If you look at the powder end of the breech plug you will see that it is indented. If you use loose powder. The powder is approximately 1/4"
closer to the primer. It fills up that little reservoir area. Pellets sit on top of the indented rim, thus further from the primer. Just stands to reason to me that you would have faster ignition, and fewer missfires with granular.
I have never used pellets in the Huntsman = No missfires. I have used
pellets in my CVA inline with great success. My most successful load on the range, and on deer is 90gr 777, 295 hollow Powerbelt bullet. On the range I am careful to remove the breech plug every 6 shots, for quick clean, and to prevent dealing wtht that knuckle buster of a breech plug tool in the sieze mode....

[James B]

I have had much better luck with the pellets.

[TOGO]

 I agree with tscott's take on the pellets, I've only had one misfire with pellets at the range. I was never able to get good groups with two pellets, I ended up finding great loads using 60 grains of 777 and a 460gr. lead bullet, also using 80gr. of 777 with a 295gr. power belt bullets. Never had any luck with saboted bullets.

[Wlscott]

I used pellets exclusively for the first three years that I hunted with my CVA inline.  I had a misfire with a small buck standing thirty yards away from me.  It was a pretty damp day, so I can't definitively say it was because of the pellets, but I'll bet it contributed to it nonethless.

I started using loose powder last year.  Range testing showed that I could get the best groups using loose Pyrodex RS powder, and a  295 gr Powerbelt bullet. I guess we'll see about the ignition thing next year as the weather was pretty nice this year during the bp season.

[JohnDY]

I have been using two 50-grain pellets in my Huntman without any problems.  I have not had any misfires. The main reason I'm using pellets over loose powder is pellets are easier to handle than loose powder. There is no measuring, just take two pellets and drop them down the barrel.  IMO, Pellets make for a real quick reload in the woods.  

As for accuracy, I was testing out a new scope on my Huntsman this weekend and I fired several two-inch groups at 80 yards. My load was a 240 grain Hornaday bullet and sabot being driven by two 50-grain pellets and being fired by a Winchester 209 primer. That's good enough for deer hunting.

[Primer]

If I remember correctly from the old sight it appeared that most people using loose Pyrodex acheived better results than Pellets. Is this correct?

Rich,  I can only speak for my results.... and can say that using loose powder has always given me my best accuracy. To me, best results=100% ignition & accuracy.  :grin:  To each their own though.

The loose powder allows for grain-by-grain adjustment of the charge to fine tune your specific gun, and surely helps it find the "sweet spot",rather than having to settle for 10 gr charge increments offered with the pellets.

Using speed loaders, while hunting, offers me a reasonably quick reload if needed for any recovery stalk. I purposely TRY to calm myself  :roll: after a hit and do everything I can to insure that my 2nd shot (if needed)can be counted upon with accuracy. A few second gain,by using the pellets, are not that critical IMHO,...considering all the other variables involved in using a ML's as your choice of weapon.
If you like the handiness of pellets,and your accuracy is acceptable for the range you plan to shoot at, then by all means use them. I am confident that there are those using pellets with accuracy from their guns that are second to none in the accuracy dept.
Bottom line:"proof is in the pudding", so use whatever your best results and confidence provides.

[cattleskinner]

I will have to agree with everyone who says to stick with the loose powder.  I have never used the pellets, nor do I have any intention to start, for one simple reason.....the price!  Everytime I look at the pellets, they cost about $20+ for a box.  I was at Wal-Mart today, and they had a box of 50cal. 30gr. pyrodex pellets for $21 and some change, and that was on sale.  With 100 pellets in the box, that comes to only 3000grs of powder, or in other words, less than a half of a pound of powder.  You can get a whole pound of loose powder for anywhere from $14-$18 ish dollars.  Significant cost savings!  Call be tight with money, but, with the one time purchase of the powder measure, and a flask, you can save more money in the long run by shooting loose powder.  Combine that with the ability to fine tune, and "tweak" your load to your muzzleloader, rather than being stuck with a few different powder loads, and you will see the economics in it.  If you shoot only during the muzzleloader season, and don't really care if you spend a few extra bucks for less powder, then by all means, buy the pellets, but if you shoot a fair amount during the off season, and aren't hampered by taking the time to measure a new load after shooting a game animal, then I say use the loose powder.

~~~Cattleskinner

[rmtaylor]

Cattleskinner,

That's enough to convince me thanks.

Richard

[Sourdough]

I shoot bears from a tree stand.  I want the most shock I can get.  At 15 to 20 yards accuracy is not a problem.  I use pellets, two in the Huntsman, and three in the Encore.  My son pointed out something to me about the pellets.  The pellets are hollow, the fire from the primer goes right up the center.  That ignites the pellets from the center outward, igniting all three almost instantly.  With loose powder the ignition starts at the rear and works its way forward.  My son's theory is that the pellets give higher pressures than loose powder.  He's going to run that one by some of his friends who are University Physics students, and see if they can answer it.